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PD Moderator	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 11:55:28 AM Ignore PD Report Abuse ABC News' Diane Sawyer said it was "the deadliest crash on American highways in 20 years resulting from a sudden, blinding "super fog." ABC News coverage of Florida crash The crash occurred Jan. 29 in what was described as an apocalyptic scene on Florida's I-75 near Gainesville. It killed 11 and injured 20. In what is a sad coincidence, the event follows our advisory January 10 to take extra caution when driving in fog, and we had referred to the January 2008 Florida crash on I-4 that involved 70 vehicles; injured 38 and killed 5 to highlight the danger created instantly when seemingly decent visibility can rapidly be reduced to nothing. This time, the negative publicity nationwide is... Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

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Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 11:55:28 AM

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ABC News' Diane Sawyer said it was "the deadliest crash on American highways in 20 years resulting from a sudden, blinding "super fog."

ABC News coverage of Florida crash

The crash occurred Jan. 29 in what was described as an apocalyptic scene on Florida's I-75 near Gainesville. It killed 11 and injured 20. In what is a sad coincidence, the event follows our advisory January 10 to take extra caution when driving in fog, and we had referred to the January 2008 Florida crash on I-4 that involved 70 vehicles; injured 38 and killed 5 to highlight the danger created instantly when seemingly decent visibility can rapidly be reduced to nothing.

This time, the negative publicity nationwide is...

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Edpap Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:4,486 Points:530,650 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 12:02:46 PM Ignore Edpap Report Abuse PEOPLE DO NOT SLOW DOWN, not just in Florida.
Pete12 Champion Author Albany Posts:4,915 Points:1,658,945 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 6:39:52 PM Ignore Pete12 Report Abuse Not good!
millerin Champion Author Orlando Posts:2,332 Points:487,315 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2012 5:43:57 PM Ignore millerin Report Abuse it's very sad
JCI46009IN Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,129 Points:439,570 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 16, 2012 1:56:10 PM Ignore JCI46009IN Report Abuse Fog plus smoke and then add people who believe they have to in hurry all the time..............
albert2008 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:7,487 Points:1,507,735 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2012 6:32:22 AM Ignore albert2008 Report Abuse not good
rbrk02 Champion Author Rhode Island Posts:5,912 Points:843,955 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2012 4:40:57 AM Ignore rbrk02 Report Abuse From the article, "many families....are understandably angry and still want to know why the road was open when many drivers could not see past the hood of their own vehicle." The above quote implies that there is a responsibility on the part of authorities to have 'closed' this road. Something not as simple to do as it sounds. I would have to agree with the general theme of personal responsibility mentioned by a good number of the posters below. The article mentions installing highway signs as part of a solution to this and that is all well and good. However, the installation of signs does not remove the responsibility of driving safely that the operator of each vehicle has. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual driver to operate their vehicle safely. If this cannot be done then the driver needs to find a safe way to get off the road.
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:575,730 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Feb 14, 2012 9:55:26 AM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse People should slow down and be more careful anyway
Cakes77 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:5,285 Points:1,677,295 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Feb 14, 2012 5:50:43 AM Ignore Cakes77 Report Abuse What does this have to do with gas prices?
blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:3,690 Points:774,770 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 14, 2012 5:18:56 AM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse I thought it was smoke from a fire that caused the conditions?
bigmoo63 Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:1,284 Points:84,610 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Feb 14, 2012 5:05:01 AM Ignore bigmoo63 Report Abuse Super fog? How about stupidity. If your conditions are bad...slow down or get off. Dont drive where you cant see. Senseless conclusion.
Krykson All-Star Author Chicago Posts:840 Points:247,385 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 11:06:08 PM Ignore Krykson Report Abuse Interesting
Amtrgas Champion Author Oakland Posts:2,678 Points:1,644,845 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 10:56:29 PM Ignore Amtrgas Report Abuse The road should have been shut down, or speeds reduced, in that fog/smoke.
Caduceus26 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:4,031 Points:789,110 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 9:34:06 PM Ignore Caduceus26 Report Abuse Passed through the area last week. It was smoke, not fog, that caused the crash. The burn marks and smoke from the fire can still be seen along the roadway.
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,994 Points:1,639,725 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 9:23:23 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse Are you kidding me, Oceanside? Do you really expect anyone to read that diatribe with all the capital letters and no paragraph structure??! There are much better ways to make a point.
OceansidePoms Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,699 Points:708,595 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 9:18:55 PM Ignore OceansidePoms Report Abuse "SUDDEN SUPER FOG"?!?!?!? ARE YOU ******* KIDDING ME?!? Unless that "SUPER FOG" SWEPT the Cars up off the Ground & THREW THEM at EACH OTHER that IS the most RIDICULOUS explanation for a SEVERE Car accidents cause that I have EVER HEARD! I live in New England/North East, MA! I SKI, frequently (as money allows), I have driven in some of the WORST WHITE OUT SNOW STORMS & BLIZZARDS EVER IN MY LIFE! I NEVER have crashed in ONE! I HAVE slid off road, but AM responsible, in the WHITE-OUTS I have been in, I NEVER drive OVER 20MPH MAXIMUM, IF THAT! & When I do have an issue I will BE SUPER ALERT, Radio & ALL distractions OFF & PAY ATTENTION! The fact that SO MANY people DIED & were injured & SO MANY cars involved is RIDICULOUS! SLOW DOWN! This ENTIRE thing was LOGICALLY, VIRTUALLY & PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE TO HAVE BEEN AVOIDED COMPLETELY! If I were the first car & it really was this almost extra terrestrial sounding "SUPER FOG", I would've/COULD'VE pulled OFF the road IF POSSIBLE, TURNED MY HAZARDS ON, SLOWED DOWN, STOPPED, USED MY HORN (EVEN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME TO ALERT OTHERS) & DONE ANYTHING POSSIBLE! I KNOW YOU CAN PREVENT THIS KIND OF MESS BECAUSE I HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH ALMOST HELL BEFORE! I drove through one of the worst Northeast Blizzards of my lifetime, my 4 hour drive to the Ski Resort I was headed to took 12 hours instead, but guess what? WE LIVED, DID NOT CRASH & drove 10-30 the ENTIRE way & were 1 of the FEW vehicles that weren't in the woods! Or UPSIDE DOWN! If there were A SUPER FOG, YOU STILL WOULD'VE SEEN IT BEFORE IT HIT, RIGHT THEN & THERE YOU SHOULD HAVE SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP, BUT NOT SLAMMED ON YOUR BRAKES EITHER! BE ALERT! IF YOU CAN'T THINK & BE ALERT, YOU CAN'T DRIVE! THERE IS A REASON BRAKE LIGHTS ARE BRIGHT RED! THAT IS ONE OF THE BEST COLORS TO CUT THROUGH THE WORST VISIBILITY! IT IS TERRIBLE THAT THIS HAPPENED! BUT IT COULD'VE BEEN PREVENTED, AT LEAST REDUCED! - NOT TO BE CYNICAL, BUT WATCH GAS PRICES GO UP EVEN MORE BECAUSE OF IT!
defiancegasman Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,099 Points:1,327,520 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:58:44 PM Ignore defiancegasman Report Abuse on problem in Flodia in their warm winters.
babyjudy Champion Author Tucson Posts:2,874 Points:588,460 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:58:33 PM Ignore babyjudy Report Abuse To answer the question posed by the article, ARIZONA notifies motorists of hazardous driving conditions via message boards on the interstates.
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,395 Points:614,770 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:58:28 PM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse What a surprise...
Akcamper Veteran Author Tucson Posts:274 Points:30,555 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:56:55 PM Ignore Akcamper Report Abuse SCREWED AGAIN!
Shakleelady31 All-Star Author Fort Wayne Posts:594 Points:422,565 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:53:56 PM Ignore Shakleelady31 Report Abuse This article doesn't say anything about the fire and resulting smoke that added to the fog to make it extra hazy. One source I read said that investigators thought the fire had been deliberately set.
jessek Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,657 Points:1,280,490 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:53:43 PM Ignore jessek Report Abuse Stupid is as stupid does.
txkrb Champion Author Texas Posts:1,595 Points:660,180 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:52:53 PM Ignore txkrb Report Abuse Similar thing happened on the interstate between Orlando and Tampa in the 90s and I agree with blazerbob many drivers were driving too fast for the conditions [Edited by: txkrb at 2/13/2012 11:54:03 PM EST]
blazerbob91 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,279 Points:1,910,020 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:51:52 PM Ignore blazerbob91 Report Abuse People drive to fast for conditions.
CdnLynx Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,079 Points:537,580 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:50:24 PM Ignore CdnLynx Report Abuse Modern times and crazy thought processes; "I have to be there Yesterday"! Slow down, smell the roses, quit the tailgating/drafting. The modern driver thought process in nuts out there. If the trip is an hour, then give yourself a little more time then that hour to get there safely and without the stress. Traveling can be Fun!
Mowerman08 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:4,873 Points:1,242,280 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:47:16 PM Ignore Mowerman08 Report Abuse "...resulting from a sudden, blinding "super fog."
boatmen Champion Author New York Posts:3,201 Points:648,630 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:46:55 PM Ignore boatmen Report Abuse Tragic accident
JettaKnight Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,529 Points:2,124,965 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:45:49 PM Ignore JettaKnight Report Abuse skyking19 Little Rock "Tragic accident." Blatant stupidity is no accident. Whether it's fog, white-outs or dust storms, every once in a while (way too often, in any case) we hear about yet another pileup. Most of those drivers just aren't thinking when they approach blinding conditions. Few are careful, but still pay the price for someone else's stupidity... sometimes with their life. Signs don't stop stupidity. People have become more and more dependent upon using technological solutions to save them from themselves. For some years, several auto manufacturers worldwide have developed automotive radar systems that measure the distance between vehicles and either warn and/or apply brakes as needed to avoid collisions. Such a system standardized in every vehicle COULD have prevented THIS so-called "accident", but at the same time adding to the technological dependence. I also wouldn't want to have to keep paying ever increasing prices for cars just because too many people don't have enough brain cells. Unfortunately, "common sense" isn't all that common.
tippybuddy Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,523 Points:207,740 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:41:14 PM Ignore tippybuddy Report Abuse why people don't slow down in fog and other bad conditions is beyond me...where is common sense
Cashless Champion Author Akron Posts:3,655 Points:761,030 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:35:21 PM Ignore Cashless Report Abuse Awful.
confetti Veteran Author Tampa Posts:354 Points:372,190 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:34:47 PM Ignore confetti Report Abuse I agree with several posters who said it is the drivers' responsibility to operate vehicles safely, or pull over if conditions are unsafe. I don't think signs will help, and they may even hurt, perhaps because they send an implied message that the drivers AREN'T responsible, or they distract from driving. I saw a segment on John Stossel's tv show with an expert who had done studies and said that having more signs actually increased accidents, and fewer signs decreased them. [Edited by: confetti at 2/13/2012 11:35:46 PM EST]
cmsense Champion Author Columbus Posts:1,358 Points:165,345 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:33:43 PM Ignore cmsense Report Abuse There was no mention of whether this had been an ongoing problem area on the interstate with recurrent low visibility.If it was not a problem area,then the drivers needed to adjust accordingly,but if this had been a recurrent problem area then the Fl Dept of Transportation needed to have an improved alert system when conditions worsen.
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,174 Points:1,755,920 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:33:36 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse bad judgement always looses
monarch57 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:1,656 Points:138,720 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:32:12 PM Ignore monarch57 Report Abuse People must slow down when visability is not so great from fog or bad weather.
DriverofRed Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,303 Points:435,685 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:31:59 PM Ignore DriverofRed Report Abuse not good
STLcardsfan Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,049 Points:1,394,885 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:31:16 PM Ignore STLcardsfan Report Abuse Wow
crazycow2332 Champion Author Nashville Posts:1,217 Points:255,530 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:31:00 PM Ignore crazycow2332 Report Abuse ok
HDFXR1991 Veteran Author Wisconsin Posts:469 Points:146,180 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:30:47 PM Ignore HDFXR1991 Report Abuse Just slow down and quit thinking just about yourself on the highway. [Edited by: HDFXR1991 at 2/13/2012 11:31:06 PM EST]
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:8,052 Points:1,600,730 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:30:09 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse fog is inmany ways the worst driving hazard
GLCSHADOW Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,618 Points:1,904,275 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:25:52 PM Ignore GLCSHADOW Report Abuse You would need enough signs to be relative to the affected area. If you have a sign 5 miles away flashing its warning by the time the drivers get to the area they are probably going 80mph again and completely have forgotten about the hazard.
carlm5 Sophomore Author Washington Posts:230 Points:142,705 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:21:11 PM Ignore carlm5 Report Abuse I am sorry that a tragic accident like the one in Florida happened; but, I dont think that a sign would magically solved the problem. At some point, people need to take responsibility for their actions, and recognize that the situation is hazardous and NOT drive.
camaro_man Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:2,367 Points:637,770 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:20:47 PM Ignore camaro_man Report Abuse wow
hagar2935 Veteran Author Nevada Posts:315 Points:85,155 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:18:59 PM Ignore hagar2935 Report Abuse This was caused by inattentive drivers, driving way to fast for conditions.
TBRR Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:3,716 Points:605,975 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:17:25 PM Ignore TBRR Report Abuse driving tooo fast to begin with and very low visibility. truckers do it all the time and call it drafting. i personally like to see what is in front of me so i can have time to take evasive action if needed.
pickledude72 Champion Author California Posts:1,121 Points:840,390 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:16:18 PM Ignore pickledude72 Report Abuse Bummer man!
BWJM Champion Author KW Posts:1,113 Points:303,780 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:15:41 PM Ignore BWJM Report Abuse ok
must87searcher Champion Author Maryland Posts:9,117 Points:1,807,025 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:14:46 PM Ignore must87searcher Report Abuse With the conditions of today, were more and more things can be accomplished, a larger and larger number of people think the can do as much as they can. Driving is one of them. There are a number of drivers who want to travel at high speeds, even when weather conditions are bad. If there is an incident, often the blame is put on someone else, like another driver or government. Only a small number are brave enough to admit it is there fault. Drivers should still take responsibility for what they do! If the weather is bad enough to shorten visibility, don't take the chance of loosing control. It is often said, better to be safe than sorry + costly for that matter.
afghaned Champion Author Hamilton Posts:11,977 Points:1,312,860 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:13:35 PM Ignore afghaned Report Abuse Tragicbut people were driving too fast for conditions. Many overdrive their headlights with deadly results at times.
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:17,740 Points:3,518,505 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:12:46 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse Sounds rather small to crashes in AZ and CA. That is not to say that it is small nor dispute the impacts on the lives of those involved and their families.
RockCity Champion Author Denver Posts:8,050 Points:1,454,585 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:09:33 PM Ignore RockCity Report Abuse Methinks people need to drive carefully at all times, perhaps.
skyking19 Champion Author Little Rock Posts:2,021 Points:1,721,865 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 8:09:02 PM Ignore skyking19 Report Abuse Tragic accident.